Planning a trip to Corfu
Getting There
By Plane -- Olympic Air provides at least three flights daily from and to Athens, and three flights weekly from and to Thessaloniki (via Athens). Round-trip fare can vary between about 168€ to 286€. The Olympic Air office in Corfu town (tel. 26610/38-694) is at 11 Polila, down from the Ionian Islands Tourism Office, but agents all over town sell tickets. Aegean Airlines also offers occasional flights (tel. 210/626-1000 in Athens, or 26610/27-100 in Corfu).Corfu airport is about 4km (2 1/2 miles) south of the center of Corfu town. Fortunately, the flight patterns of most planes do not bring them over the city. Everyone takes taxis into town; the standard fare should be 12€ but may fluctuate with destination, amount of luggage, and time of day.
By Boat -- Many lines and ships link Corfu to both Greek and foreign ports. Ferries run almost hourly between Corfu and Igoumenitsou, directly across on the mainland (1-2 hr.), and several go weekly to and from Patras (about 7 hr.). At least during high season, there is a twice-daily hydrofoil express (about 30 min.) between Corfu and Igoumenitsou. Also in high season are daily ships linking Corfu to ports in Italy -- Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, Venice -- or to Piraeus and/or Patras. The schedules and fares vary so much from year to year that it would be misleading to provide details here; work with a travel agent in your homeland or Greece; or check www.ferries.gr. The ship lines are: Adriatica (tel. 210/429-0487 in Piraeus), ANEK Lines (tel. 210/323-3481 in Athens), Fragline (tel. 210/821-4171 in Athens), Hellenic Mediterranean Line, or HML (tel. 210/422-5341 in Piraeus), Minoan Lines (tel. 210/414-5700 in Piraeus), Strintzis Lines (tel. 210/422-5015 in Piraeus), and Ventouris Line (tel. 210/988-9280 in Piraeus). In high season, the typical one-way cost from Brindisi to Corfu is about 320€ to 380€, for two people in a double cabin with a private bathroom, and with a standard-size vehicle.
By Bus -- KTEL offers service from Athens or Thessaloniki; its ferry carries you between Corfu and Igoumenitsou, on the mainland opposite. Buses allow you to get on or off at main points along the way, such as Ioannina. The buses are comfortable enough, but be prepared for many hours of winding roads. The KTEL office (tel. 26610/39-627) is located along Leoforos Avramiou, up from the new port.
Visitor Information
In previous years there have been municipal tourist information stations on the Esplanade and down at the new port but you cannot count on these to be there in any given year. The best sources of information are in fact the private travel agencies such as Corfu Holidays Travel Agency, at 12 Mantzarou (near the Municipal Theater in the New Town), tel. 26610/23-523 or www.corfuholidays.com.
Getting Around
By Bus -- The dark-blue public buses service Corfu town, its suburbs, and nearby destinations. The semiprivate green-and-cream KTEL buses offer frequent service to points all over the island -- Paleokastritsa, Glifada, Sidari, and more. The KTEL office (tel. 26610/39-627) is located along Leoforos Avramiou, up from the new port.
By Taxi -- Taxis are of no use inside Corfu Town -- distances are short and streets clogged -- but are handy for getting to and from the harbor and the airport. Although taxi drivers are supposed to use their meters, many don't, so you should agree on the fare before setting out. You may also decide to use a taxi to visit some of the sites outside Corfu town; again, be sure to agree on the fare beforehand.
By Car -- You'll find car-rental agencies all over Corfu. Even so, in high season it can be difficult to get a vehicle at the spur of the moment. If you're sure of your plans on Corfu, make arrangements before departing home. Otherwise, try Corfu Holidays Travel Agency; or Avanti Rent A Car, 12A Ethnikis Antistasseos, along the new port (tel. 26610/42-028).
By Moped -- It's easy to rent mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles, but the roads are so curving, narrow, and steep that you should be very experienced before taking on such a vehicle. And insist on a helmet.
Fast Facts
The official American Express agent for Corfu is Greek Skies Travel Agency, 20A Kapodistriou (tel. 26610/33-410; fax 26610/36-161). There are numerous banks in both the old town and new town; you'll find ATMs at most of them. The British Consul is at 1 Menekrates (tel. 26610/30-055), at the south end of the town, near the Menekrates monument. There is no U.S. consulate in Corfu. The hospital is out on Julius Andreatti, and directions are signposted around town.
There are several Internet cafes: I've always used the Online Cafe, 28 Kapodistriou, along the Esplanade (café_online1@yahoo.com); there's also the Cyber Café Corfu, 3 Gardikioti, down by New Port (cybercafecorfu@hotmail.com). Both are open daily from late morning to late evening. The police station (tel. 26610/39-575) is at 19 Leoforos Alexandros (near the post office). The post office (tel. 26610/25-544) is at 26 Leoforos Alexandros. It's open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 8pm; in July and August, it's also open for a few hours on Saturday. The main telephone office (OTE) is at 9 Mantzarou; it's open Monday through Friday from 7am to midnight, and 7am to 10pm on Saturday and holidays.
